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It's business as usual.

That's how Erie SeaWolves general manager Greg Coleman defined the team's status in light of the Eastern League's Sept. 6 announcement that it will place a franchise in Ottawa in 2014.

League president Joe McEacharn confirmed that in an recent interview with the Erie Times-News, but wouldn't divulge which of its dozen Double-A teams are candidates for relocation to Canada's capital. Nor would McEacharn say when an official announcement would be made.

A Sept. 7 article by the Ottawa Citizen cited Erie and Binghamton as possibilities, based on their 2012 attendance figures. The SeaWolves' average crowd of 3,025 ranked 11th, while the Mets (2,984) were last.

The article also mentioned the New Hampshire Fisher Cats as a possibility, based on their current affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Coleman said that any comments on the league's announcement should come from McEacharn.

"Nothing has changed on our part," Coleman said, "and it would be irresponsible for me to speculate. We won't allow (the announcement) to impact our business."

Erie fans do have two factors working in their favor.

Earlier this year, the SeaWolves announced a two-year contract extension with the Erie County Convention Center Authority and a two-year affiliate agreement with the Detroit Tigers. Each runs through 2014, the same year the league plans for relocation.

The relocated franchise in Ottawa, which last hosted professional baseball in 2008, will play its home games at a renovated 10,000-seat stadium.

Erie opens its 2013 season, its 15th in the league, April 4 against Altoona at Jerry Uht Park.